Finite element modeling and analysis of a cardboard shelter

Constructing shelters from corrugated cardboard panels represents an innova tive approach in the construction industry. The cardboard shelters can be u sed for permanent living or as temporary houses in post natural disaster ev ents. Due to their light weight and also due to the ease of packing, cardbo ard sheets can be easily shipped to remote areas. This study includes a com prehensive stress analysis of a full-scale cardboard shelter subjected to d ifferent wind load conditions. The cardboard is modeled using a laminated o rthotropic shell element. The material properties incorporated in the model are based on the results of mechanical tests conducted on individual cardb oard components. The study describes in detail the numerical model that was developed to simulate the global and local behavior of full-scale cardboar d shelters under wind loads. Seven finite element analyses covering various loading and geometry configurations, including the effect of door and wind ow openings, are conducted. Maximum strains found from the analyses are com pared to the ultimate strains obtained from the component tests in order to judge on the level of safety provided by the shelters. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.